Europa League: East End Set for Another Thriller

West Ham United vs Sevilla

Here are two teams who really deserve admiration. Both are rank outsiders to claim any of the top prizes given they are up against some of the big hitters of world football, both domestically and in Europe.

Yet there is a wonderful synergy that West Ham and Sevilla share ahead of their Europa League last-16 second leg – a capacity to ensure those established opponents get a bloody nose from time to time.

Now as they prepare to meet for only the second time in their history – their maiden clash was the first leg last week – both could be quietly confident for thinking they can progress to the final of this competition should they prevail in this last 16 tie.

Talking Points

Domestically, West Ham are not expected to qualify for the Champions League next season and I do not expect them to. Yet the fact they are living in the company of Manchester United, Arsenal, and Tottenham in the race for a top four spot speaks volumes about the good work David Moyes had undertaken since returning to the club.

In Sevilla’s case, they have a manager whose reputation suffered in 2018 due to the circumstances which saw him part company with Spain on the eve of the World Cup and then fail to recover as his Real Madrid tenure was cut short before it had properly begun.

Yet the Spaniard has shown his abilities since arriving in Andalusia, winning this competition two years ago – the club’s record sixth success – and now they sniff a seventh.

They are also mixing it with the big boys in La Liga and are currently in second place, not in title contention but ahead – for the moment at least – of a rejuvenated Barcelona and reigning champions Atletico Madrid.

They may have been criticised for more dropped points in La Liga at the weekend, but that is harsh given they lack the resources of the clubs around them.

The good omen for the Hammers is that they have overturned four of the previous five European ties in which they lost the first leg away, most recently in the third qualifying round of the 2016/17 UEFA Cup.

Sevilla, though, love this competition and have lifted the trophy on four of their previous six appearances – in 2014, 2015 and 2016 with Unai Emery as head coach and in 2020 under Lopetegui – as well as winning the UEFA Cup back-to-back in 2006 and 2007.

On a non-footballing front, I’d be interested to know if West Ham price visiting fans out of the market as was done to them by the Spanish club last week, presumably in a bid to create a more intimidating atmosphere.

With two sides who like to attack, this could be the tie of the week full of Europa League 2022 highlights.

History

Competition specialists Sevilla claimed a narrow win in the first leg in Spain.

Only one goal separated the sides in the Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán – the venue for this season’s Europa League final – during their first ever meeting.

It arrived in spectacular style on the hour from Sevilla forward Munir, who half-volleyed home on the run from Marcos Acuña’s free-kick.

Munir was only playing after midfielder Ivan Rakitic withdrew feeling unwell after the warm-up.

West Ham have won their previous two European ties against Spanish opposition, both in the European Cup Winners’ Cup. They beat Real Zaragoza 3-2 on aggregate in the semi-final of their triumphant 1964/65 campaign (2-1 home, 1-1 away) and Real Madrid Castilla 6-4 in the 1980/81 first round (1-3 away, 5-1 home).

Sevilla have played English sides 20 times with a record of nine wins, six draws, and five losses.

They are undefeated against opponents from England in the UEFA Cup and Europa League (W6, D2) and their last three fixtures before the first leg having all brought single-tie victories – 3-1 against Liverpool in the 2016 final, 1-0 against Wolves, and 2-1 against Manchester United in the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively of their triumphant 2020 campaign.

Betting Tip

The SBOTOP Europa League 2022 betting odds edge towards West Ham with odds of 1X2 @ 2.10 and Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 2.47.

Sevilla are on offer 1X2 @ 3.20 – very attractive odds to my mind – and +0.25 @ 2.08.

Another 1-0 success for the Spanish side is available @ 8.75 with Correct Score. And amongst the goal options are Total Goal 0-1 @ 2.45, 2-3 @ 1.83, 4-6 @ 4.60 and Over 2.50 @ 2.35.

I cannot see this being a stalemate without goals, but I can see it being a stalemate which would result in Sevilla holding their first-leg advantage despite facing a hostile and passionate home crowd urging on their heroes.

 

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